Ventilating grille and temperature responsive damper actuating means



F. P. NOLL* 3,165,999 VENTILATING GRILLE AND TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE Jan. 19, 1965 DAMPER ACTUATING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 11 1961 kg A 4 4 4 J A J 4 A A A HMIH INVENTOR. F/PA/V/n F. NULL 7 BY W 5.1

ATTO/PAEX Jan. 19, 1965 F. P. NOLL 3,165,999

VENTILATING GRILLE AND TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE DAMPER ACTUATING MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 11, 1961 E I. :1 lllllllllllllllllllllll llll '1 ,1 III IIIIIIIIIIIII I;

INVENTOR. F/P/I/V/K 1? N01! BY M A. M

Jan. 19, 1965 Filed July 11, 1961 F. P. NOLL 3,165,999 VENTILATING GRILLE AND TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE DAMPER ACTUATING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I '1'!!! IIIIIIIIIII lllllllllllIlIIllIllllllllIII/l/ INVENTOR. EPA/VA f. 4 044 Arrow/1 United States Patent 1 3,1655% VENTILATING GRILLE AND TEMPERATURE SPUNSIVE DAB FER ACTUATING MEANS Frank I. No Lindeuwold, NJ. (332 Chews Landing Road, (Ilementon, NJ.) Filed July 11, 1961, Ser. No. 123,232 Claims. (Cl. 98-37) This invention relates generally to ventilating devices for use in building construction, of the general type disclosed in my prior United States Patent No. 2,814,977 and in my copending patent application Serial No. 33,200, filed June 1, 1960, now Patent No. 3,103,158. The device of the instant invention relates particularly to improvements over the disclosure of said copending patent application.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a ventilator construction for use in a building-wall opening which is more quickly, simply and easily installed in the building Wall.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilating device of the type described which is simpler in construction to achieve greater economy in manufacture and a greatly prolonged useful life.

It is a still a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilating device having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs wherein operaiton may be selectively automatic or manual and, in either case, is more easily and reliably accomplished.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational View showing a ventilating device of the present invention prior to installation in a building construction;

FIGURE 2 is a generally horizontal sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a generally vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 3--3 of FIGURE 1, illustrating the closed ventilator condition in solid lines, and the fully open ventilator condition in dot-and-dash outline;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1, partly broken away for conservation of drawing space; and

FIGURE 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts of the instant ventilating device.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURES 1-4 thereof, the ventilating device is there generally designated 1i! and includes an openwork faceplate or grille II, a housinglZ secured on the inner side of the grille plate, and a closure 13 on the housing.

The plate or grille 11 may be generally rectangular,

having an inturned upper flange 15 extending generally horizontally along its upper edge, and an inturned lower flange 16 extending generally horizontally along its lower edge. Provided along each generally vertical, side edge of the grille 11, preferably integral therewith, is a generally rectangular, obliquely inwardly extending resilient sheet or leaf 17. That is, the leaves 17 extend inward and obliquely laterally away from each other, having their inner edge regions 18 curved toward each other, as best seen in FIGURE 2. Each leaf 17 may be formed with "ice cutouts or openings 19 suitable for interlocking relation with mortar, for purposes appearing presently.

The grille plate may have generally flat, imperforate margins 29 extending along the upper edge flange 15, 21 extending along the lower edge flange 16, and side margins 22 extending along each of the side leaves 17. Within the margins 20, 21 and 22, the grille plate 11 is formed with a plurality .of horizontally extending, vertically spaced through openings or slots 25 arranged in a pair of laterally spaced, side-by-side groups having in the space therebetween a substantially-flat, vertically extending grille portion 26. The grille-plate openings or slots 25 are preferably formed by upsetting a plurality of generally parallel, elongate grille-plate portions 27 to form blades or louvers projecting obliquely forward and downward from the plane of the grille plate in substantial parallelism with each other.

Thus, the grille plate 11 may be considered as being of an openwork construction. On the inner side of they grille plate 11, preferably completely covering the openings 25, there is provided a generally rectangular reticulated sheet or screen 29. As best seen in FIGURE 5,"t he screen 29 is formed with a cutout 30 extending upwardly from its lower edge medially between the side edges of the screen, located to overlie the lower region of medial grille portion 26, for purposes appearing presently.

The housing 12 includes a substantially flat, generally rectangular lower wall 32, see FIGURE 5, adapted to extend laterally across the inner side of the grille plate 11, terminating'at its opposite sides adjacent to and inward of the side leaves 17. In assembly, the lower housing wall 32 extends obliquely upward and inward from the lower region of the grille plate 11. Further, the lower housing wall is formed with a pair of generally rectangular, laterally spaced extensions or tabs 33 substantially coplanar with the grille plate and each projecting obliquely downward and outward through the lowermost grille opening 25 of a respective group. As best seen in FIG- URE 3, the extensions 33 project through the lowermost grille openings 25 along the lower edges thereof and present an external appearance similar to the louvers or vanes 27, see FIGURE 1.

Intermediate the extensions 33, see FIGURE 5, the forward, lower edge of the lower housing wall 32 is formed with a vertically depending securement tab or flap 34 fixedly secured in facing engagement with the lower region 21 of the grille plate, preferably directly below the medial region 26, as by a rivet 35 or other fastener.

Extending obliquely upward and outward, or forward, from the rear upper edge of the lower housing wall 32 is an upper housing wall 37. The obliquely upwardly and forwardly extending upper housing wall 37 terminates proximate to the upper grille-plate region 20, on the inner side thereof, and is formed with a central opening 38 ofa rectangular configuration similar to that of the. upper housing wall. The opening 38 of the upper housing wall 37 is of substantial size, so that the upper housing wall defines essentially a generally rectangular: margin bounding the opening. Extending along the upper edge of the upper housing wall 37 in facing'relation with the inner side of grille region 26}, is an upper housing securement strip 49. The securement strip 4! is in facing engagement with the upper region of screen 29 and fixedly secured by rivets 41 to the upper plate region 20 to sandwich between the latter and the securement strip the upper region of the screen. i

The side edges of the lower housing wall 32 may be provided with upwardly and forwardly extending flaps or tabs 43, and similarly the side edges of the upper housing wall 37 may be provided with downwardly and forwardly extending flaps or tabs 44. A generally triangular side wall 45 may be arranged on each side'of the housing 12,

secured to an adjacent pair of flaps 43and 44, as by fasten ers 46. The housing side walls 45 each extend forward to an adjacent side region 22 of the 'grille plate 11, to close the sides of the'housing 12'; On the forward edge of each housing side wall 45' there may be provideda generally vertically extending, laterally outstanding flange 47, which is disposed in facing relation with the adjacent plate region 22 and may be secured to the latter, if desired.

A reinforcing bar or strip 50 extends laterally along and is fixed secured in facing engagement with the upper region of upper housing wall 37, on the inner side thereof, asby rivetsll'or other suitable fasteners. The relnforcmg bar or strip is formed with a longitudinally coextensive flange 52- directedobliquely upward and inward generally normal to the upper housing wall 37. Formed in'the reinforcing'bar or strip StB-at longitudinally spaced locations there'along; are a' plurality of generally rectangular through openings or cutouts 53, each of which'may be located partially in the flange 52., V

The closure 13 may include a generally flat, rectangularwall 37, and having a lower-edge flange 56 engaging beneath the lower housing wall 32, and a pair of side-edge 3 flanges 57 each located just laterally outward of the adja-;

cent housing side wall 45. Along the upper edge of the The closure 13 may be weighted, as by the securement thereto along its inner edge of a weighting member or bar 60. Any suitable fastener means, such as threaded fastener 61 may be employed to secure the weight or bar 60 to theclosure 13.

An operating linkage,- generally designated 63, is con: nected between-the grille 1'1 and closure 13 for effecting opening-and-closing swinging movement of the latter. The operating linkage 63 includes a rocker arm or lever 64 extending forwardly and rearwardly through an opening or slot 65 formed inthe medial plate portion 26, the forward end'of lever edgbeing located infront ofthe grille plate'll and the rearward lever end behindthe grille plate within the housing 12. A downwardly facing notch 68 is, formed in the lever 64 and receives the lower edge ofgrille opening 65, the latter forming a fulcrum plate 55 overlying the opening 38 of thefupper housing to mount the lever for rocking movement about a gener- V 13 from'its, closed, solid-line position, to its open, dotand-dash-outline position.

The forward or outward end of lever 64, preferably proximate to the extremity thereof, is provided with a laterally opening throughhole 75, while the lever is formed on its upper side with:a preferably arcuate, upwardly opening notch or cutout '76, forward of the grille plate 11.

In order to automatically actuate the linkage mechanism 63 tooperate closure 13 responsive to temperature changes, and actuating means, generally designated 78 is provided on the forward or outward side of the grille plate 11 inoperative connection with the linkage. The actuating means 78 includes a temperature-responsive element 7*-which contains a mixture of wax and-metalfines orfilings operable upon a change of state by the wax to exert force or pressure on a diaphragm, this temperaturesensitive element is conventional and sometimes called by the trademark Vernatherm. .Depending from the casing 'of the temperature-sensitive device 79-there may be an externally threaded sleeve 8% receiving a depending plunger 81. In such-temperture responsive devices, it is usually essential that a-predetermined, minimum external pressure be exerted at all times upon the diaphragm, as

through theplunger 81. ,A bracket 82 is fixed to the medial grille-plate portion 26, as by fasteners 83, and

extends outward-from the grille, threadedly receiving the vertically disposed sleeve 80. The casing-79 may seat on the bracket 82, or suitable lock-nut means (not shown) may be employed to fix'thecasing in position relative to the bracket.

- Interposed between the lower end of the plunger 81 of the lever- 64' proximate to the'cutout 76. This provides a floating connection between the pusher rod 84 and forward endof the lever 64, so that substantially vertical downwardmovement of the pusher rod, as'atfected by the plunger 81, will cause counterclockwise rotation of the lever 64, as seen in FIGURE 3, without binding. The above-mentioned required predetermined force required on thediaphragm of the temperature-responsive element 79h maintained by the weight of the closure 13,'including the weight bar 60, through the linkage mechanism 63 and floating connection 86, 76. i V

The actuating means 78 is preferably dimensioned so 'thatthe casing 79 seats on the bracket 82 and in such positi'on'is properly located to effect opening-and-closing movement of the closure 13 at the desired temperature; To facilitate installation ofthe temperature-sensitive actuating means 73, which is preferably performed as a as at 71-, to an outstanding lug or car 72 fixed to an upper a -region of the closure 13 andprojecting therefrom ex? teriorly of the housing. The link 69 extends loosely,

through aslot or opening 73 formed in theclosure sheet 'to a point rearward or inward of the closure when the latter is closed, whileithe ear or lug 72 is fixed-to the closure, as by a rivet 73, see FIGURE 3, and projects rear- I ward or inward to theregion-of pivot 71, which is located generally horizontally inward orrearward of the'hinged connection 53, 59. t This relationship and location of pivot '71 permits application of force through link 69 to open the closure 13 substantially spaced from the hinged connection 53, 59

closure. 7 p g Asseen in FIGURE (3, downward movement of the forward-end of lever 64 is effective to swing the closure tofacilitate opening movement of the final step, especially ,under relatively hot conditions wherein the plunger- 81 would-be extended, a' nail or other pin may be temporarily inserted through the lever opening '75 for manual engagement to aid in moving the forward or outer end of the lever downward against the in the wall opening, whereupon the leaves 17 will frictionally, resiliently engage the sides of the opening to hold the assembly in position. Insertion of the assembly may be facilitated by first engaging one side in the wall opening andwthen engagig the other side in the wall opening, the inturned portions 131 initially engaging the wall of the opening and deflecting the leaf laterally inward.

With the assembly thusheld in position in a buildingwall opening, mortar may be conveniently applied about the assembly, engaging in the mortar locks 19 to permanently atlix the assembly in the building construction.

In the event of rain, blowingsand, or the like, it is apparent that such elements will freely, gravitationally fall along the lower housing wall 32, passing therefrom over the extensions 33 for discharge exteriorly through the grille plate 11. i it should also be noted that the pivotal connection 71, upon opening movement of the closure 13, moves closer to the hinged connection 53, 59, while the closure weight 60 moves further from the hinged connection to increase its torque arm. This arrangement insures proper control of the closure position throughout closure movement.

While the illustrated embodiment of the instant in vention is shown as employing an automatic temperaturesensitive actuating means '78, it is, of course, appreciated that manual temperature-actuating means may be substituted, as disclosed in said copendingpatent application.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invenion provides a ventilating device which fully accomplishes its intended objects, and is well-adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture, installation and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. QWhatis claimed is:

l. A ventilating device for a building-wall opening comprising an openwork grille plate adapted to extend across a building-wall opening, a lower housing wall extending upwardly and inwardly from a lower region of said grille plate, laterally spaced side walls extending inwardly from said grille plate to said lower housing wall, a closure extending from an upper region of said grille plate downwardly and inwardly into closing relation with said side and lower housing wall to close iluid communication through said grille plate, hinge means mounting said closure on said grille plate for upward swinging to open said fluid communication, an extension on said lower housing wall extending forwardly and downwardly through and beyond said grille plate for gravitationally conducting liquid exteriorly of said grille plate, said grille plate having a through hole formed in its lower region, a generally horizontal lever extending through said hole having its ends on opposite sides of said grille plate and rockably mounted on the lower edge of said hole for up-and-down movement of its ends, inwardly extending bracket means carried by the upper region of said closure, and a generally upstanding link having its p 61 a with the free end oi said braczet means to decrease the torque arm applying swinging force to said closure.

2. A ventilating device according to claim 1, said extension being substantially coplanar with said lower housing wall and extending through a lowermost said grille plate.

3. A ventilating device according opening of permit swinging movement of the latter upper axial movement of'said rod.

5. A ventilating device for a building-wall opening comprising an openwork grille plate adapted to extend across a building-wall opening, a lower housing wall extending upwardly and inwardly from a lower region of said grille plate, a generally coplanar extension on said lower housing wall extending forwardly and downwardly through the lowermost opening of said grille plate beyond the latter for conducting liquid exteriorly of said grille plate, a closure extending from an upper region of said grille plate downwardly and inwardly into closing relation with said. lower housing wall, said grilleplate having a' through slot, a generally horizontal lever extending through said grille-plate slot and having its opposite ends on opposite sides of said gnille plate and rockably mounted on the lower edge of said grille-plate slot for up-anddown movement of its ends, said closure having a through slot, a generally upstanding link extending through said I closure slot having its lower end pivoted to the inner end of said lever and having its upper end inwardly or" said.

closure, and a pivotalconnection carried by said closure generally horizontally inward of said hinge means and connected to the upper end of said upstanding link, whereby upon upward swinging movement of said inner lever end said upper link-end connection swings generally upward and forward to decrease the torque arm applying swinging force to said closure.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 945,707 Danforth Jan. 4,. 1910 1,952,707 Germonprez Mar. 27, 1934 2,596,257 Leigh -l May 13, 1952 2,722,170 Broberg Nov. 1, 1955 2,814,977 Noll Dec. 3, 1957 2,847,928 Glass Aug. 19, 1958 2,901,962 Derringer Sept. 1, 1959 to claim 1, said hinge means comprising an elongate reintorcing bar havingg 

1. A VENTILATING DEVICE FOR A BUILDING-WALL OPENING COMPRISING AN OPENWORK GRILLE PLATGE ADAPTED TO EXTEND ACROSS A BUILDING-WALL OPENING, A LOWER HOUSING WALL EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND INWARDLY FROM A LOWER REGION OF SAID GRILLE PLATE, LATERALLY SPACED SIDE WALLS EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM SAID GRILLE PLATE TO SAID LOWER HOUSING WALL, A CLOSURE EXTENDING FROM AN UPPER REGION OF SAID GRILLE PLATE DOWNWARDLY AND INWARDLY INTO CLOSING RELATION WITH SAID SIDE AND LOWER HOUSING WALL TO CLOSE FLUID COMMUNICATION THROUGH SAID GRILLE PLATE, HINGE MEANS MOUNTING SAID CLOSURE ON SAID GRILLE PLATE FOR UPWARD SWINGING TO OPEN SAID FLUID COMMUNICATION, AN EXTENSION ON SAID LOWER HOUSING WALL EXTENDING FORWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY THROUGH AND BEYOND SAID GRILLE PLATE FOR GRAVITATIONALLY CONDUCTING LIQUID EXTERIORLY OF SAID GRILLE PLATE, SAID GRILLE PLATE HAVING A THROUGH HOLE FORMED IN ITS LOWER REGION A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL LEVER EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HOLE HAVING ITS ENDS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID GRILLE PLATE AND ROCKABLY MOUNTED ON THE LOWER EDGE OF SAID HOLE FOR UP-AND-DOWN MOVEMENT OF ITS ENDS, INWARDLY EXTENDING BRACKET MEANS CARRIED BY THE UPPER REGION OF SAID CLOSURE, AND A GENERALLY UPSTANDING LINK HAVING ITS LOWER END PIVOTED TO THE INNER END OF SAID LEVER AND ITS UPPER END PIVOTED TO THE FREE END OF SAID BRACKET MEANS, WHEREBY UPON UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID INNER LEVER END SAID UPPER LINK END SWINGS GENERALLY UPWARD AND FORWARD WITH THE FREE END OF SAID BRACKT MEANS TO DECREASE THE TORQUE ARM APPLYING SWINGING FORCE TO SAID CLOSURE. 